A woman shares heartfelt and profoundly moving advice after the unexpected loss of her husband. Karen McNulty, a 37-year-old Seaford, New York teacher, is sharing her story of loss and the powerful lessons she has learned from it. She went from planning something special for her sixth wedding anniversary to planning Dominic McNultly’s funeral.
Dominic, who was 40, began feeling sick, and Karen initially thought it was just a stomach bug. Seemingly out of nowhere, Dominic’s condition rapidly deteriorated. Karen had also noticed his arm had gone limp and finally convinced him to go to the hospital. But the next day, on their sixth wedding anniversary, Dominic passed away.
The suddenness of Dominic’s death was shocking. Karen later learned that he had succumbed to multiple organ failure caused by sepsis—a severe and often deadly response to infection in his intestines.
After grieving her husband’s death, Karen shares gut-wrenching advice, but her wisdom shines through. “I want people to know that life is short and to be good to one another,” Karen said. With her heartfelt advice, she wants people to understand the importance of cherishing every moment and being present with their loved ones. “Show up every day for the ones you love. Don’t take those small moments for granted. Just be good to one another,” she added.
Karen went on to share how she hasn’t moved on from the loss. She shared how his toothbrush is still in the bathroom, and his clothes are still in the laundry room. She says her life is gripped by the reality she’s still waiting for him to walk through the front door.
“Each day I wake up, and I get out of bed for my son, for our son, and I try to give him the best life possible because I know that’s what my husband would want.” She adds, “You know if you find love and can have a family, that’s the best thing in the world.
Her story reminds us just how precious life is, to hold close to those we cherish, and to appreciate the ordinary moments that make life special. Through her grief, Karen offers a powerful reminder to embrace every moment with love and gratitude, for life is precious and fleeting.
2 Corinthians 1:4 “He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble, with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”
